Angelas Ashes Cd

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely great!
Review: I lived it and loved it. Great? Tis

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: I have never been so haunted -- by both the power of words, and the power of McCourt's, and my own, past. That I am a descendant of Irish immigrants has never meant much to me except for the occasional knowing laughs at Irish jokes and speech oddities. I have, since reading this book, wept for the grandparents I never knew, for the poverty, the joy, the indomitable spirit, the self defeating political dissention that still exists and the heritage that has expressed itself in me. As a high school teacher of English myself, I wish that I could assign this book to all the "victims" of our culture. Perhaps their troubles would come into clearer focus while they too shared in the abject sadness coupled with the wonderful Irish wit and lyricism of this work of art. Mr. McCourt, please tell us more -- I have The Hunger and I'll be waiting on my seventh step for my Angel of Memory

Rating:
Summary: astonishing
Review: I read this book while recovering from major surgery, and despite postoperative pain, narcosis and insomnia I found it impossible to put down, and in fact finished it in about 18 hours. As cliched as it sounds, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Despite being dissimilar to McCourt in virtually every respect (ie growing up upper middle class and Jewish in Canada etc) I think everyone can identify with his description of the boy-man struggling to make sense of the cards life has dealt him; few, if any, however have written about it with such compassion and skill. An astonishing book

Rating:
Summary: The best book I've read in years!
Review: I'm usually a slow reader, but was able to finish this book in just 3 days! I could not put it down. I really felt very close to each of the characters in the book, especially Frank. The book is now making the rounds in our large Irish family: Mom, Dad, Brigid, Kathleen, Charles .... So far each of us has nothing but high praise for it! Now when can we expect the sequel???? Excellent work Frank! God bless you!

Rating:
Summary: omigod,Frank, thanks for the story!
Review: I am mesmerized. Be assured that if this man had been a sliver better off in childhood, he could have been Shakespear. This book rang in my ears for the week I read it. I called my parents 2000 miles away in Irish Chicago and read them a paragraph and they were after it the next morning. All who have had an Irish Catholic childhood recognize themselves in the scene when Frank and his friends pray for Brenda Spellacy to hang on and not die of the "galloping comsumption" till school starts and her brother can get a week off for the death. We can all nod at the final lesson to Mikey who is carried off himself! Angela's Ashes sings in the face of the worst disasters with the lilt of a brogue and the bitter sweet wit and defiance that is Irish Catholic strength and weakness at the same time. I laughed out loud and cried. For those sad realities haunt the Irish here whatever their station. And, Frank, now it's done and I'm lost. When do I get the next book? Thanks, Frank! Thanks for this story!Bless you

Rating:
Summary: Better than High School
Review: I was privileged to have Frank McCourt as a high scool english teqacher at Stuyvesant. He was great there, but this book is realy one of the finest I have read in years. Congratulations

Rating:
Summary: Got to live a little, laugh a little . . .
Review: If you only read a book a year - make this one it! The hardships of life brings the reader to happily ever after. Find yourself smiling in the midst of sadness, relieved and with a light feeling while submerged in a gripping tale. The author takes us on a love-hate journey yet we all stay happy in the end. I wish I was Oprah ; then I could recommend this book so it reaches millions of home - where Frankie's story really belongs

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Summary: Interesting RealAudio interview of McCourt available
Review: It's not often that I search the web for more information about a writer of a book (then again, it's not often a writer like McCourt shows up out of nowhere), but I found this: http://www.annonline.com/interviews/960913/ It's a 47-minute interview of McCourt in RealAudio. The first half is, frankly, predictable, but the second half finds him verbally "penning" more jewels. Now that I know he has an Irish accent, as if that should matter, I'm more interested in the audio version. However, I think I'd probably prefer that he remain a faceless, voiceless, and marvelously talented craftsman of words. Those high school kids he teaches are luckier than they know.

Rating:
Summary: I walked in his tires
Review: I was Frank McCourt. For 2 weeks, I lived in Limerick, I felt the hunger deep in my belly, my small eyes were crusted over as I watched down the lane for Dad to arrive with my only hope for food-I learned to go on when he didn't. I loved Angela's Ashes. I want to share this book with everyone, yet I cannot part with it. Thank you Frank McCourt

Rating:
Summary: Haunting and perfect
Review: I devoured this book. The members of the McCourt family continue to run through my mind. Whether one is Irish or not, whether one is Catholic or not, there is something remarkable and amazing that happens from reading this book. I find myself recommending it to everyone I see. You'll be changed forever, I promise you. You will never think about poverty, Ireland, beautiful writing--or life for that matter--the same way again. I can't remember the last time I have been so haunted by a book in my life. Thank you Mr. McCourt, Thank you